Calif Hwy 395

Keithk3628 wrote:
Can anyone give me an idea of conditions of 395 north from San Bernardino to Tahoe in the winter , specifically in March or April.

Will be pulling a 34 foot 5ver with my 2016 F350 psd, I don't remember any significant climbs but was thinking more snow or ice.

Appreciate any thoughts as i Plan next years long trip.

Bring chains for both your truck and trailer,, just in case!!! Also make sure your Good Sam Emergency Road Side policy is current. If you are going to South Lake Tahoe out of Carson City, you will about a 5 mile fairly steep climb bout just gear down and take easy. the road is good and lines on both sides

You will have some 6% climbs. Chains will be required if you encounter bad weather.

Good road and well plowed. Unless you get stuck in a snow storm it will be an easy and beautiful drive. Check the road conditions report as needed.

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/display.php?page=us395

No shortcuts on Ebbett's or Sonora pass with an RV.

make sure the furnace runs and the tanks are full of propane

On both sides of Mono Lake 395 gets up to 8000 ft (and you can get higher if you turn off to the ski area). The approach to Lake Tahoe is nearly as high.

There are some big hills before Ridgecrest. Sherwin Grade out of Bishop is a long climb. And then some good grades around Mono.

If the weather is good, then it's an easy enough drive. If the weather is bad, don't go. Wait it out someplace lower like Bishop and continue when the chain requirements are lifted.

If it is blizzarding, don't do it. Otherwise, it is one of the greatest drives in the Western US. This is what it looked like at sunset near Bishop in October of 2010 -- and in March and April, there is often more snow than this on the mountainsides:


Click For Full-Size Image.

Appreciate all the replies, I did not plan on snow chains, I usually just wait it out, I haven't driven in any snow with chains in a very long time, and never on the trailer.

Last time I drove 395 I was 21 and I loved it, but 40 some years is a long time but it is sure better than I-5, Thanks again, I'm looking forward to it.

Keithk3628 wrote:
Appreciate all the replies, I did not plan on snow chains, I usually just wait it out, I haven't driven in any snow with chains in a very long time, and never on the trailer.

Last time I drove 395 I was 21 and I loved it, but 40 some years is a long time but it is sure better than I-5, Thanks again, I'm looking forward to it.

If Tahoe is your destination, you could take Hwy 58 to Hwy. 99 then north to Hwy. 50 which drops you right into South Lake Tahoe.

Not Tahoe, actually Placerville is the destination, I was just trying to miss LA and all the traffic and big cities.

And last time the wife and I were on 395 we were screaming south about 100 mph in my Ranchero from camping trying to get her home before curfew time. We were young and pretty dumb, you remember I bet.

Were not going to be in any big hurry so I can wait out any storms for a day or few.